MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Dolphins star wide receiver Tyreek Hill offered his perspective on the apparent sideline tirade he launched near the end of the team’s 31-12 loss to the Titans of Tennessee Monday evening.
“It wasn’t frustration,” Hill said Wednesday of her visibly upset appearance on the ESPN broadcast. “It was just me motivating my teammates. …I’m in a good place in my life. I wouldn’t talk about screaming.
Hill, who had just four catches for 23 yards, said he was trying to send a positive message to rookie running back Jaylen Wright after he made a strong run on the Dolphins’ only touchdown Monday at Hard Rock Stadium.
“I was just telling 2-5 (No. 25, Wright) that he needed more of that. Because he had a great run towards the end of the match, and I was like, “I need more of this!” I need more, 2-5! #9 (tight end Jonnu Smith), I need more!’ I need more, 1-8 (quarterback Tyler “Snoop” Huntley)!’ It’s just me motivating my teammates. It wasn’t bad will.
“My teammates know me. I never break down or call anyone at that time. If I have a problem with someone, I put it aside and tell you what’s going on,” Hill said, receiving the question from reporters in his locker after the team took a walkthrough.
“We need professional lip readers in this world,” Hill added. “Because you know what’s crazy?” My mother sent me the same video. She said, “Hey, what’s going on?” I was like, “Nothing. You know how I play football. I’m the one who motivates my teammates. This is me showing my passion and just being a leader.
After Monday night’s loss, Miami coach Mike McDaniel, who is seen in the photo as Hill shouted on the sidelines, said he understood if Hill was upset.
“I would expect him to be visibly upset with someone,” McDaniel said. “He’s a leader and he wanted to do everything he could to make sure the outcome wasn’t this one. In the locker room, there are a lot of guys challenging each other.
Amid recent speculation on social media that Hill could be traded by the Dolphins, the star reiterated that he wants to stay in Miami.
“I just focus on the here and now,” Hill said. “We have a great team here and I want to be part of it. We have a great situation here. My family loves it. I appreciate that. The weather is superb. The fans are great. So we have a great situation here.
“We all know the NFL is a business. Whatever happens, happens. In the future, I would love to be here. I love being here. I love the guys. I love my locker mate, Jevón Holland. He’s a maniac. That’s the guy. He sometimes brings me nice snacks.
According to a league source, a trade with the Dolphins involving Hill has not been discussed.
Odell Update
Although the Dolphins’ Wednesday practice was just a walkthrough, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was listed on the team’s injury report as a full participant if Miami had made a complete workout.
It was also officially revealed, despite speculation about it, that Beckham’s injury that caused him to start the season on the physically unable to perform list was indeed to a knee, as noted in the injury report.
Beckham is set to get his first real practice reps with his new team on Thursday and the team will evaluate whether or not he can be activated off the PUP list for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots (1 -3).
Aside from Jaelan Phillips, who announced Wednesday afternoon that his season was over due to his knee injury suffered Monday, safety Jordan Poyer was the only other Miami player listed as non-participant on Wednesday’s injury report. Poyer injured his shin on the same play where Phillips was initially injured.
Besides left tackle Terron Armstead and cornerback Kendall Fuller, who are progressing through the concussion protocol, others listed as limited on Wednesday’s injury report were: wide receiver Braxton Berrios (ankle), linebacker David Long Jr. (hamstring), running back Raheem Mostert. (chest), quarterback Skylar Thompson (ribs), receiver Malik Washington (quadriceps) and running back Jeff Wilson Jr. (knee).
Like Beckham, cornerback Cam Smith, who was also designated to return this week while on the PUP list, was considered a full participant in a Wednesday practice.
Opposing honors
Tennessee Titans kicker Nick Folk earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors for his five-goal game against the Dolphins (1-3) Monday night, which included three-of-50 field goals and more.
Folk became Miami’s fifth opponent in the team’s last nine regular-season games, dating back to last year, to earn a conference weekly honor. The others: Bills running back James Cook (Week 2), Bills punt returner Deonte Harty (Week 18 of 2023), Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (Week 17 of 2023) and linebacker Titans outside Harold Landry (week 14 of 2023).
